Hi ladies,

Well, can't beleive my little man is a week old already and we still have no name..... we like Mickey as we think it suits him as he's a cheeky chappy but the OH mum & dad hate it and will not accept it. Anyone any good ideas on an Irish boys name? (OH family as Irish as they come).

Anyway, I am really struggling with this breast feeding thing and wee man seems to be always stuck to my boob. This morning he woke at 7.30 for food. So, put him to breast, he had a really good feed. Did the nappy change then he was awake for a bit. Anyway, he then seemed to spend from 9.0 til 10.45 back on the boob and just would not settle. I really think that I am struggling to make milk. Anyone else having the same problem. I am doing the odd bottle feed in between as I can't keep up with it and he is waking every hour during the night on the breast.

Is this a bad thing mixing bottle and breast? How long should I stick at it for as i'm just so tired now?

Brought a breast pump too but can only get and oz of milk at a time, what a waste of £55, have only used twice, anyone want to buy it - lol!!!

Please help as I am feeling like a failure and just want the best for the wee fella....

Love Sam & baby no name boy, 1 week and 5 hours old xxxx

It is really common for a breastfed baby to want feeding frequently, especially in the early days. It sounds like you are doing a great job! I think the mixed feeding can work really well if you need that break, it may be worth trying to limit bottles at the moment though as it can affect your milk supply in the beginning.

I found a breastfeeding support group locally, it is great to meet other mums with the same issues!

I've never got on with expressing and this time have not even bought the pump! I find the babies are much better at getting the milk than the machines!

If baby is putting on weight then you shouldn't worry about how much he is getting, the feeding on demand will ensure he takes all he needs.

Good luck hunny!

Tracey and Jessica 20 weeks

"Your doing well! "

Keep at the breast feeding Sam you are doing well! I read about moving the baby off one breast onto another and sticking the pump on the breast he came off to keep the milk coming. The more you use the pump and breast feed your baby the more your milk will come in. So your doing really well, just keep at it and it will sort itself out. Try not to combine breast and formula at this early stage to give yourself more of a chance to produce more milk.

I have used the site that Clare has suggested.. http://www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/boy-names--a-c.html its a good wee site with how you would pronouce the name as well....if my bump had been a boy, I liked Cathal & Tomas. Mickey is nice too and if its the name you want then go for it! You could get him named Michael on his cert and just call him Mickey?

Best of luck! Sharon 33+4wk pink bump xx

When I first started expressing I could hardly get anything - now (Ketti is 9 weeks old) I can get 4 or 5 oz at a time when I express. Don't sell your breast pump just yet - you'll get more and more if you stick with it.

I combine feed as I wasn't producing enough at first and my daughter lost too much weight. Mixing breast and bottle is okay though I'd try not to give a bottle too much at first as he may get confused (Ketti was 4 weeks before I introduced a bottle). Also I give a bottle at night as she sleeps longer then (plus my OH can give it and I get a break) and I just breastfeed during the day.

Breast feeding is really tough at first so well done.
Cherry x

"Thanx....."

for all your advice, guess I just gota stick with it and carry on as I am. Even if I can stick with the breast for 3/4 weeks at least I know he is getting the best start in life.

Have a nice evening all xxxx

My little one is 8 weeks old now and we started off feeding and like you he wanted to feed every hour at the start. This is just your little one stimulateing your milk to come in and it will stop and the times he feeds will change. Do not think that you are not producing enough milk for him because your milk will be just the right amount that he needs.
Maby you should ask your midwife or health visitor to check that he is latched on properly, as maby he just isnt getting as much of the boob in his mouth as he could. With my little one ive got to hold my boob with the opposite hand lol.

try and stick with it! You are doing an amazing job!!!

OOOhh as for the name Mickey, i think its a lovely name and if you and your partner really like it then stick with it as it is your baby to name no one elses! lol.

kirst and 8week elliot x

Hi hun,

I know just what you're talking about. I've been struggling with the same thing and Sophie has been attached to me for 1.5 hour feeds. I tried to use the breast pump but could only get about 30mls. I kept going with the breast feeding and found that if I anticipate the feed about 10 mins before and catch her before she demands, she only stays on for about 25 mins. This seems to work. I guess it's like us, if we dont eat until we're starving, we stuff it down and eat far more than we need. If we eat right away, we get fuller quicker and eat less.

I've been crying because I thought I was a failure too. I've done the odd bottle feed with the tommee tippee bottle, but I'm going it alone now.

We're not failures hun, stick with it, try changing your feeding pattern a little and feed just before you think he's going to start asking for it. It may work for you too.

Lots of love and luck.

Sarah & 8 day old Sophie. xxxx

can't help with the bf question but there's a good site for irish names, babynamesofireland.com you might find something on there. Congrats by the way if I haven't said before (so many new babies this week I've lost track!) hope you and the wee man are doing well.

Lotsa love,
Clare 23+4 xxx

my little man is 10 days old now and i have to exclusivly bottle feed as with all 3 of mine ive not produced enough milk to feed them but its only a week it can take a little bit more time for your milk to come in properly, also shaun is a lovely irish name * my hubbys and charlies middle name lol* patrick is nice * or paddy* ermm shamus? take care xxx